Abstract

The purpose of this statewide study was to determine preferences for the sources of information beef producers in Oklahoma use and trust when they seek information about agriculture during a crisis. Participants in this study were randomly selected from a population of 48,000 beef producers in the Oklahoma. All 470 respondents completed a telephone survey conducted by the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service (OASS). Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and cross tabulations were used to analyze the data. Producers preferred their veterinarians when seeking information about animal health issues and any agriculturally related crisis; and preferred to receive information through county extension publications. They also perceived the local veterinarian as the most trusted and reliable source of information available. The Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, through the county extension agents and the local area livestock specialists, and the USDA were also trustworthy and reliable sources.

Keywords: Pre-Crisis, preferences, Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service (OASS), extension agents, USDA, information

How to Cite:

Ashlock, M. A., Cartmell, D. D., II & Leising, J. G., (2009) “Before it Hits the Fan: Pre-Crisis Beef Producer Information Source Preferences”, Journal of Applied Communications 93(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.1198